Hide and Seek

Chris: And now, Adventures in Odyssey.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Check the status on the download, will you please, Eugene?
Eugene Meltsner: Uh it's at 35% and rising, Mr. Whitaker.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Huh. I think I'm going to have to invest in a faster microprocessor.
Connie Kendall: I came up to tell you that I made a few sandwiches for lunch if you two are hungry.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, thank you, Connie.
Eugene Meltsner: That's very considerate.
Connie Kendall: Eleven up Oh, do you want me to bring everything up here or are you coming down to the kitchen?
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, we'll come down, Connie. This download is going to take a while. Thank you.
Connie Kendall: 14 15
Eugene Meltsner: Uh Miss Kendall, why pray tell are you counting like that?
Connie Kendall: 16 I'm playing hide and seek with Kevin and Sarah.
Eugene Meltsner: Oh.
Connie Kendall: What are you guys doing anyway?
Eugene Meltsner: Uh Mr. Whitaker and I are having a theological discussion about God's search for man.
Connie Kendall: Wait a minute. Don't you have that backwards? Isn't it normally man searching for God?
Eugene Meltsner: Normally perhaps, but not always.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): We noticed that the Bible is filled with examples where God went looking for man. So, we decided to create an imagination station program to explore that idea.
Sarah: Sounds bizarre.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, I guess it is in a way. Uh meanwhile, our lunch is waiting and you lost count.
Connie Kendall: What? Oh, that's right.
Eugene Meltsner: Uh you stopped at 16.
Connie Kendall: 16 Are you sure?
Eugene Meltsner: As certain as I am about anything.
Connie Kendall: Okay, thanks. 16 17 18 19 20 Okay, ready or not, here I come.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, let's go eat. Is the sign up?
Eugene Meltsner: Huh. Closed for maintenance.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Okay, good. Uh maybe this will finish downloading by the time we've had our lunch.
Eugene Meltsner: I would assume so.
Kevin: They're gone. Come on.
Sarah: Come on where?
Kevin: To the imagination station.
Sarah: Didn't you hear it's closed?
Kevin: I don't want to use it. I just want to hide in it. That's the last place Connie will think to look for us.
Sarah: I don't think we should.
Kevin: Sarah
Sarah: The sign says it's closed.
Kevin: Fine. You can go and hide somewhere else then.
Sarah: But Kevin
Kevin: It's the best hiding place in the whole building.
Sarah: Then hide there if you want. I'm going to find somewhere else.
Kevin: Okay.
Connie Kendall: Don't say I didn't warn you.
Kevin: This is perfect. Now, let's see. Close the door.
Imagination Station: Welcome to the imagination station.
Kevin: What Uh Uh look, Mr. Whitaker, I I was just playing. I mean
Imagination Station: The auto start has been engaged. Please select your adventure.
Kevin: Select an adventure? But I don't want an adventure. I'm just playing hide and seek.
Imagination Station: Thank you. The hide and seek program has been selected and will begin in 5 seconds.
Kevin: No, which button stops this thing?
Imagination Station: Five Four
Kevin: No, I don't want an I don't want an adventure. I'm just hiding. No, stop.
Imagination Station: Three Two One
Kevin: No. No. No.
Guest (Male): Need even more adventures in Odyssey?
Guest (Female): Peek behind the scenes with the official Adventures in Odyssey podcast.
Guest (Male): When you tune in, you'll learn more about the actors behind your favorite characters.
Katie Lee: Hi, this is Katie Lee, the voice of Connie.
Guest (Female): You'll hear how the writers come up with their ideas and how the sound designers create all those crazy sounds.
Guest (Male): You'll also get to hear the team answer questions from fans like you.
Guest (Female): Find the official Adventures in Odyssey podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Guest (Male): Or better yet, visit adventuresinodyssey.com/podcast.
Kevin: Oh, brother. Where am I?
Adam: Neneveh
Kevin: Oh, hello. Sorry, but I
Adam: No need to apologize, boy. Come, get warm by the fire.
Kevin: Uh thank you, but I'm lost.
Adam: The desert at night Who can find their way?
Kevin: Desert
Adam: Here, help an old man and throw that log on the fire.
Kevin: Sure. That's it. Look, uh sir, I'm kind of confused.
Adam: About what?
Kevin: I don't know where I am.
Adam: Well, where are you supposed to be?
Kevin: Well, we were playing hide and seek and then
Adam: Hide and seek An interesting expression.
Kevin: It's a game.
Adam: Uh huh.
Kevin: You never heard of it?
Adam: Tell me.
Kevin: Well, you hide and someone else tries to find you.
Adam: Ah well, I've played that game then.
Kevin: Good for you. Anyway
Adam: So I played it with God.
Kevin: Terrific. But see, I wasn't What? God You played hide and seek with God?
Adam: Where are you? He called. It's a question I'll never forget. What a dark dark day. Sit Sit down, Sarah.
Kevin: Sit down?
Adam: You have to know to understand
Kevin: Understand what?
Adam: What happened that day. In the garden we had complete fellowship with God then. He gave us everything. Everything but the tree. Stay away from the tree, he said. And we did at first. But something What was it? What could have possessed us? My wife, she she went to look at it. Just to look, she said later. But it was there that cunning deceiver. It said that God lied to us, that God was afraid we would be like him if we ate the fruit from that tree. Oh, it was so enticing to be like God. It knew that better than anyone. It was so calm, so persuasive. We were so weak. So, she reached up and bit into the fruit. I ate as well. Sweet to the lips, but so bitter to the taste. So bitter. It all changed. We saw everything so differently. We were completely exposed. What did we do? What would you do?
Kevin: I don't know. But I remember the story. It's the Garden of Eden, right?
Adam: The garden so deep and lush. We thought we could hide in it. Even on my dear wife's deathbed, she asked again, what were we thinking? We thought we could hide from God.
Kevin: I'm just a kid and even I know you can't hide from God.
Adam: Yeah, well, we were the first to find out. Where are you? He called. Where are you? He knew he was God. Of course he knew. But he called anyway to give us a chance to present ourselves. We knew we couldn't hide for long. So, we showed ourselves. We made excuses. We placed the blame. But the consequences came anyway. Banished Banished from the garden to a life of toil and hardship, pain death Murder, I should say. But the worst of it was being separated from him. It could never be the same with God after that. Never.
Kevin: Are you telling me that you're What's your name, sir?
Adam: I am Adam.
Guest (Male): Where can I escape from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven you are there. If I make my bed in the pit of the earth you are there. If I travel to the limits of the east or dwell at the bounds of the west even there your hand will be guiding me.
Kevin: Now where am I? What's that? Whoa. This is amazing. The bush is on fire, but it isn't burning up.
Guest (Male): What is this? How is it possible?
Moses: Moses What? Who's there?
Guest (Male): Moses
Moses: Here I am. Who is calling me?
Guest (Male): Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
Moses: Holy ground But who is it that speaks to me? Who are you? Where are you?
Guest (Male): I am Moses. I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Moses: My Lord and my God.
Kevin: Wow. This is better than the movie.
Guest (Male): I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know their suffering and have come to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians. I will deliver them and bring them out of that country to a land flowing with milk and honey.
Moses: My Lord, you are to be praised.
Guest (Male): I will send you to speak to the Pharaoh. What? And you are to bring my people Israel out of Egypt.
Moses: But But who am I to approach Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt?
Guest (Male): I am with you.
Moses: But Lord
Guest (Male): You will bring them to this mountain to worship me.
Moses: But I'm not a leader. I'm slow of speech and of tongue.
Guest (Male): I will be your mouth and teach you what to say.
Moses: But Lord someone else will be better.
Kevin: Go away. I'm trying to listen. I said go away.
Nathan: Look alive, young man. I need you.
Kevin: What?
Nathan: Take the lamb. You must carry him to the king.
Kevin: Uh where did you come from? Where am I now? Mr. Whitaker really needs to fix this machine.
Nathan: Follow me, boy.
Kevin: Uh okay. To where?
Nathan: To King David. Where else? David, where are you?
King David: Nathan, come come in. And uh please don't stand on ceremony by knocking first.
Nathan: A word, if you please.
King David: For you anything. I see you've brought a boy and a lamb. What is all this?
Nathan: I have come to tell you a story.
King David: A story?
Nathan: It's a story of two men in a city.
King David: Hm.
Nathan: One man was rich with large flocks and herds. The other was poor with nothing of his own, except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He had reared it and it grew up in his home together with his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup, and nestled in his arms. It was like a child to him.
King David: Well, that's a very nice story, Nathan. However, as you can see that
Nathan: One day a traveler came to the rich man's house and he, being too greedy to take something from his own flock or herd to serve his guest took the poor man's lamb and served it for the meal.
King David: Is this a true story, prophet?
Nathan: As the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die. He shall pay for the lamb four times over, because he has done this and shown no pity. Show me this man.
King David: You are the man.
Nathan: What?
Guest (Male): Thus says the Lord God. It is I who anointed you king over Israel. I rescued you from the hands of your enemies. I have added to your family and would have done even more. Why then have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in his sight? You have killed Uriah and taken his wife Bathsheba to be your own. Surely the Lord God will deal with you now. Though you hide he has found you out.
King David: Nathan It is true. I have sinned against the Lord. I have sinned.
Guest (Male): Have mercy upon me, oh God, according to your loving kindness. In the fullness of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquities and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Create in me a clean heart, oh God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Kevin: Good grief. What now? A boat?
Nathan: Where are you? Jonah Jonah You Have you seen Jonah?
Kevin: Jonah?
Nathan: The Hebrew
Kevin: Uh I don't know what you're talking about.
Captain: Oh You sailor, what's all the fuss?
Kevin: Captain, sir, I've been looking for the Hebrew Jonah. He was on board the ship last night and now I can't find him. I 'm afraid he may have fallen overboard during the storm, sir.
Captain: Ah yeah, maybe. Hey, did you notice how quickly the storm cleared up? You know, Jonah seems to have disappeared and well, we have blue skies again.
Kevin: You saying there's a connection between Jonah and the storm?
Captain: Well, he was running away from his God, you know.
Kevin: He was?
Captain: Oh yes, he told me all about it. Apparently, his God sought him out and told him to go to Nineveh.
Kevin: Nineveh?
Captain: Yeah.
Kevin: But that's that's in the opposite direction from where we are going.
Captain: Oh yes. You notice how the storm seemed to follow us across the sea.
Kevin: You You think the storm came because this God was angry with Jonah?
Captain: Oh, not for me to say really. But one could guess that Jonah's God doesn't like his people running away from him.
Kevin: Hm. I guess he doesn't.
Captain: Oh no, he doesn't. Which is why we threw him over.
Kevin: Oh well, that certainly explains You threw Jonah overboard?
Captain: Oh yeah.
Kevin: But But Captain
Captain: Well, it was Jonah's idea actually. Got rid of the storm now, didn't it?
Kevin: Well, yes. It did. Do you think he's alive?
Captain: I couldn't say. Oh, but if he is, I'm sure he will go to Nineveh as fast as he can.
Kevin: Sure he will.
Guest (Male): Hey Repent Repent
Kevin: I don't believe it.
Jonah: Pardon me. Which way to Nineveh, please?
Kevin: I don't know. I'm not from around here. Oh. Well, thank you anyway.
Kevin: Uh you have some seaweed in your hair.
Jonah: Oh my. Thank you. Repent. The judgment of God is at hand. Repent.
Kevin: What a weird imagination station adventure. How in the world am I going to get out of here?
Guest (Female): Want to contact us about the episode you 're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-FAMILY with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Hm. Now pass the potato chips, Eugene, please.
Eugene Meltsner: Certainly, Mr. Whitaker.
Connie Kendall: Okay, I give up, Sarah. I'm not looking for him anymore.
Sarah: Just a little while longer.
Connie Kendall: No, I'm tired of this game.
Sarah: He said you wouldn't find him.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, he was right.
Connie Kendall: Now where is he?
Sarah: He'll get mad if I tell you.
Connie Kendall: All right, then you go tell him that the game's over.
Sarah: I don't know how to get in.
Connie Kendall: Get into what?
Sarah: Where he's hiding.
Connie Kendall: Sarah
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh I hang on now. Sarah Where could Kevin hide around here that you wouldn't know how to open?
Connie Kendall: Well
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I'm concerned, Sarah. Tell us.
Connie Kendall: The imagination station
Sarah: What?
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): He's hiding in the imagination station?
Connie Kendall: Uh huh. I told him not to.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): We better get upstairs.
Connie Kendall: Wait, what's wrong? What's so bad about hiding in there?
Eugene Meltsner: It's in the middle of a major reprogramming operation. There's no predicting what it'll do or where it'll send him. It could go haywire.
Guest (Male): Where are you? Where are you sinners, people unworthy of God's love who are rebellious and turn away from the Lord God? You who believe you can come to God by your own good works when your good works are like filthy rags to God's holiness. Repair the way for the Lord. Clear a straight path for him. Repent and flee the wrath to come. Hide no more.
Kevin: What's this?
Guest (Male): Repent for the kingdom of heaven is upon you.
Guest (Male): Are you the Messiah? Are you the one the prophet said would come?
Guest (Male): I baptize you with water. There is one coming who is mightier than I am. I am not worthy to unfasten the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Jesus: Baptize me, John.
Guest (Male): Do you come to me to be baptized? It is I who need to be baptized by you.
Jesus: Let it be so for the time being. It is right for us to do what God requires.
Guest (Male): Then let come.
Kevin: Is that Is that Jesus?
Guest (Male): This is my beloved son in whom I take delight.
Kevin: Where are you? Simon Simon
Simon Peter: What do you want, Andrew? Can't you see there are fish to be unloaded?
Kevin: Here he is, Simon, the one I told you about.
Simon Peter: Oh.
Kevin: Simon this is Jesus.
Simon Peter: Hm. A pleasure to meet you, Rabbi. My brother is very impressed with your teaching. But if you'll excuse me, some of us have work to do, fish to catch.
Kevin: Simon come with me and I will make you a fisher of men.
Simon Peter: Oh, this is fast. This is too fast.
Guest (Male): See, all of you I washed my hands in front of you. I gave you the choice and you have chosen the criminal Barabbas over this Jesus called Messiah. My hands are clean of this man's blood. See to that yourselves.
Guest (Male): Blot be on us and our children.
Guest (Male): Captain of the guard, where are you? Release Barabbas then take Jesus to be flogged and crucified.
Kevin: I can't believe I'm seeing this. How am I seeing this? Got to be a way out of this. I don't understand what's happening.
Guest (Male): Where are you?
Kevin: You Mr. Whitaker
Guest (Male): Where are you?
Kevin: I'm right here, Mr. Whitaker. Get me out of here. Mr. Whitaker Mr. Whitaker
Guest (Male): Where are you?
Kevin: Mr. Whitaker How I give up.
Connie Kendall: Oh, careful. I'm so sorry, child.
Kevin: What's wrong?
Connie Kendall: It has happened, the most glorious thing.
Kevin: What?
Connie Kendall: He has risen. Jesus has risen from the dead. We must find the disciples. Where are they?
Kevin: I I don't know.
Connie Kendall: We have to find them. They must hear the news. We got to find them.
Kevin: This is too much. Whoa, watch out.
Jesus: Saul Saul Are you all right?
Kevin: The light Can't you see the light? Where are you?
Jesus: Saul Saul, why are you persecuting me?
Kevin: Who are you?
Jesus: I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
Kevin: Wow.
Jesus: Where are you?
Kevin: What?
Jesus: Where are you?
Kevin: Where are you?
Jesus: Where are you?
Kevin: What's going on?
Jesus: Where are you?
Kevin: Where are you?
Jesus: Where are you?
Kevin: Please stop.
Jesus: Where are you?
Kevin: Where are you? Stop. Stop. Please stop.
Jesus: Where are you?
Kevin: Kevin Where are you?
Kevin: What? Are you talking to me?
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yes, I am. What's happening? Where are you? Which scene are you in?
Kevin: Uh no scene now. They were zooming past, but now they've stopped.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, good.
Kevin: Oh, thanks. I'm starting to go cross-eyed in there.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Are you all right?
Kevin: I think so.
Eugene Meltsner: I'll check the equipment.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Hm, good idea.
Connie Kendall: So, which part of the words closed for maintenance didn't make sense to you?
Kevin: I just wanted a place to hide. I'm really sorry. I didn't expect to jump around like that.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): It gave you quite a ride, huh?
Kevin: Sure did.
Eugene Meltsner: Everything looks all right, Mr. Whitaker, but we'll have to reload everything to make sure there are no glitches.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Okay, go ahead and start. Uh are you sure you're all right, Kevin? The imagination station can be pretty intense at times, even worse if it's not working properly.
Kevin: I don't know. I I have a headache and I'm confused.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): About what?
Kevin: I figured out what was going on. All those scenes were about God looking for people, calling them.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): That's right.
Kevin: Do you think God's looking for me too?
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, I'm sure he is, Kevin.
Kevin: So how do I answer him?
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well why don't we go to my office where I can explain it properly?
Kevin: Okay.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Eugene, I'll be in the office with Kevin for a while.
Eugene Meltsner: All right, Mr. Whitaker.
John Avery Whittaker (Whit): You see, Kevin, God loves us more than we can imagine. Because of that love he wants us to love him back.
Connie Kendall: So, I guess God is still looking for us.
Kevin: I believe so, Connie. Where would we be if he didn't?
Connie Kendall: Exactly.
Chris: The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians that God chose us before the foundation of the world to be adopted as his children through Christ. Because he loves us, he sent Jesus to die for us and to bring us into a relationship with him. The apostle John wrote in his first letter that Jesus's death is the proof of God's love. We saw on today's adventure how God actually looks for us. He even calls out to us because of his love. What he wants back is for us to obey and love him. But like Kevin saw, not everyone wanted to be found by God. Many tried to run and hide. How about you? God wants you to know his love, to be in a relationship with him. Are you ready? Or are you still running away, trying to hide? If you're ready to meet him, then maybe you should talk to your parents or someone else who knows Jesus. I'm sure they'd be happy to introduce you to him. And you can also write to us here. Our address is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC V6B 4G3. And remember to ask about how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It's called Hide and Seek. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. Hide and Seek was written and directed by Paul McCusker. Our recording engineer was Dave Arnold and our production engineer was Dwayne Harms. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.